For The Land Rover Defender's ability in the rough stuff is legendary, and the 2.4-litre diesel engine is doggedly strong
Against On-road, the Defender has vague handling and a horrible ride. The driving position is cramped and the cabin is noisy.
What Car? says
Off-road, very little can touch it. On-road, there's very little to recommend it. Unless you spend a lot of time out in the wilds, any number of more-modern 4x4s make better buys than the Land Rover Defender.
What Car? readers say
4.642857
There are 21 Land Rover Defender versions available
Buyer's notes
Target Price team says:
There’s an almost bewildering choice of Land Rover Defenders, and when judged by the same standards as any conventional modern car, every one of them is complete rubbish. However, use the Defender to do the things for which it was designed– to be a rural working vehicle – and there’s still nothing better.
There’s just the one engine a 2.4-litre diesel, but the bodystyles on offer include single-cab pick-ups, double-cab pick-ups with an extra row of seats, and hard tops. There’s also a choice of wheelbases (the length between the two axles). For ultimate ability off road, the 90 (for 90 inches) is the one to go for.The 130 is less wieldy but more spacious, with the 110 striking a balance somewhere in the middle.
We’d avoid base-spec models – there are more luxurious prison cells. The County has more kit and is easier to live with, although equipment levels are still less than generous. XS trim is much better, but comes with a very high price tag.
Reader test team says:
Land Rover Defender 4x4 110 2.2D XS Station Wagon 5dr
Well had her nearly a week now and have to say that we test drove the 2.4 but the 2.2 is much quieter and more refined. Around town the only issue is…
5
out of 5 stars
Land Rover Defender 4x4 90 Td5 XS 3dr
I brought my Td5 in January 2011 purely for off road and overland trips. The one previous owner spent £000's on off road extra's e.g. winch, better…
2
out of 5 stars
Land Rover Defender 4x4 90 Td5 Station Wagon 3dr
Here is a machine which gets you from A to B, in any weather over any road conditions. That's it. Easy to clean(if you feel the need), easy to…
5
out of 5 stars
Land Rover Defender 4x4 90 2.4D XS Station Wagon 3dr
My 1st new one was delivered in late Jan 08 but was returned. The whole body was misaligned from the front doors backwards, so bad that the rear door…
4
out of 5 stars
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Our pick of the range
Land Rover Defender 4x4 110 2.4D County Station Wagon 5dr
As an all-rounder, this is probably the best Defender you can buy, thanks to a practical cabin and a half-decent level of equipment. However, it's still noisy, uncomfortable and dated.
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